North Adams Transcript

August 9, 2007
Section: Local

Williamstown Vision
By Susan Bush, Transcript Correspondent

Thursday, August 9 WILLIAMSTOWN —

"The fire gives us opportunity to look at the development of Spring Street for the future," agreed Mark Paresky, who owns the property ravaged by the fire.

Four entities are pivotal to an evolving dynamic for Spring, Water and Latham streets, Fohlin said — the town, Williams College, Mitchell Properties (overseer of the Cable Mills housing-development) and Paresky. Each offers a component of what could become a new and vigorous economic center, he said.

He termed parking garage construction as "vital" to the area's economy. During the summer, most Spring Street parking spaces and the municipal parking lot at the end of the street are filled to capacity almost daily, and drivers circling 'round and 'round the lot in search of spot to park are a common sight. To ease the situation, Williams officials have permitted some public parking at Weston Field.

"The critical, scarce resource is parking," Fohlin said. "It's all well and good that residents and college students and faculty are encouraged and enthusiastic about bicycling, but the vitality of the economy is dependent on the folks coming here from out of town, and they cannot and will not come here on bicycles."

He added, "My vision at the moment is a parking garage on Latham Street across from Weston Field. During my most optimistic days, I envision (college) athletic offices on the top floor, with an astounding view."

He said he believes a parking garage could be built in collaboration with Williams, and the town could apply for state Public Works Economic Development funds to help cover its share of construction costs. He said he does not favor building the much-discussed parking structure at the vacant lot at 59 Water St., former home of the town garage. The "nothing" that is happening presently at the site is by design, he emphasized.

"Fifty-nine Water St. is stopped because it is so critical to this area that we cannot afford to do the wrong thing," he said.

Major factors that will impact the core area of Williamstown's downtown include the Cable Mills housing development on Water Street, significant renovation of several Paresky-owned Spring Street properties — including the razing and rebuilding of the fire-ravaged property — and a planned rehabilitation of athletic facilities and Weston Field by Williams.

Fohlin said he has met with the principals of the various projects and found an across-the-board, sincere interest in creating a positive outcome.

In addition to the burned-out property that housed a Subway, a coffee shop and the Purple Pub bar, Paresky owns the former Hopkins furniture store and funeral parlor sites, as well as buildings that house the Lickety-Split eatery and Zanna clothing store.

Spring Street identity
"He is interested in the renovation of all his Spring Street properties, and he is interested in creating an identity for Spring Street," Fohlin said. "Should the street be known for its art galleries, its restaurants, its retail stores? He is very interested in an identity for his rejuvenated properties."
On Tuesday, Paresky confirmed his interest in property renovations and crafting a Spring Street vision. He did not offer specific plans for the burned-out property but said he is working with town officials to determine a "best use" for the site.

"We are trying to determine what will work as a draw to people from a 50-mile radius — what will make Spring Street a must-see — not something people visit because they happen to be here," Paresky said. "We want to make this a clear destination."

A parking solution must be devised, he said, and he termed Fohlin's Latham Street idea "interesting."

"We are working on solutions," Paresky said. "The thing we don't want is people saying they don't want to come to Spring Street because there is no place to park."

Fohlin and Williams officials are tremendous assets to the discussions and planning, Paresky said.

"We are in a unique position, a very fortunate position, to have Peter's expertise and the college leadership with the vision for that area," he said." I think how lucky we are to have the leadership and expertise of such capable and open-minded individuals."

Efforts to reach Bart Mitchell, principal of the Cable Mills project, and James Kolesar, Williams director of public information, for comment were unsuccessful.

Water Street streetscape
According to Fohlin, Mitchell is focused on Water Street streetscape improvements that would create a more appealing environment for the housing development and existing retail ventures.
Fohlin would like to see the street widened, to allow parking on both sides, and new sidewalks built. The idea is to entice foot traffic and vehicles to the street. There would be some sacrifice on the part business owners, Fohlin acknowledged. Eric Reinhard, who owns the Water Street Grill, and Todd Ruthven and Daniel Campbell, owners of Hobson's Choice restaurant, would lose some frontage if street widening occurred. But they would gain improved parking and a likely increase in pedestrian and vehicle traffic, Fohlin said.

"Under our zoning regs, Water Street is more than 100 parking spaces short of the number required for the commercial uses on the street," he said. "Some of the businesses have no parking whatsoever. That is why street widening and the parking structure are so important."

Others' input sought
He said he plans to include Water Street property owners, including James Montepare and John England, in discussions about the overall vision for the area. Consistent, frequent conversation with Williams officials is of monumental importance, he added.

"We have to have discussions with Williams College about the best use of their land and the best use of our land," he said. "Williams College properties do as much to define our downtown as commercial properties do. College properties affect parking, presence and who is attracted to downtown. College facilities do impact the health of the downtown community. I believe that the downtown relationship can be enhanced."

Williams owns several commercial buildings on Spring Street and recently purchased the former Ivy Gardens property on Simonds Road (Route 7), which will initially be used for book storage during the upcoming renovation of Sawyer Library but has been discussed as a potential future site for the college's building and grounds department.

Photo: 
Williamstown Town Administrator Peter Fohlin would like to see a parking garage across from Weston Field, among other things.
Gillian Jones/ North Adams Transcript